Vicksburg National Military Park recruiting Licensed Battlefield Guides

Vicksburg National Military Park is currently recruiting candidates to become Licensed Battlefield Guides. The National Park Service (NPS), the Vicksburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Association, and the Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park and Campaign are partnering to provide training for individuals wishing to become certified as Licensed Battlefield Guides.

Licensed Battlefield Guides are not Federal or park employees, however are licensed through the park under special Congressional legislation to provide guided tours in the park. Fees received by the guides for these tours are set by the park and vary depending upon the size of the tour group and duration of the tour.

To become Licensed Battlefield Guides, applicants must pass a thorough written examination on the Civil War and, in particular, the campaigns and Siege of Vicksburg. Those that pass the written exam must also pass an oral exam, where they bring a park ranger/guide out on an actual tour of the park, to qualify for their licensure. Upon completion of the written exam, additional training and mentoring will be provide on how to develop and conduct tours to prepare for the oral exam.

A series of seminars will be held over the next several months, starting Tuesday, March 1, 2021, to help prepare candidates for the exams. Tuesday seminars will be open to the public and free of charge. The two Saturday programs/tours will be reserved for potential candidates. Potential candidates are not required to attend the seminars, however they are intended to help potential candidates study for the exams. Additional study materials including a training manual and a reading list will be provided. Exams will be scheduled with candidates.

Seminars:  

Dates:         Tuesdays March 1, 8,15,22, 29
April 4, 12

Saturday April 9 and 16

Times:         Tuesdays 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Saturdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:40 p.m.

Location:    2414 Grove Street, Vicksburg MS.

For more information contact:

Brendan Wilson brendan_wilson@nps.gov 601-642-688, Vicksburg National Military Park
Rick Martin rpmcol@yahoo.com, Vicksburg Battlefield Guide Association

For more information the Licensed Battlefield Guide program visit https://www.nps.gov/vick/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm